| Research Abstract |
It was found in the rat that riboflavin transport in the colon is mediated by a Na^+dependent carrier-mediated transport system similar to one in the small intestine. The transport system in the colon was as efficient as one in the small intestine. It was also found that several tricyclic-type drugs analogous to riboflavin, such as chlorpromazine, specifically inhibit carrier-mediated riboflavin transport in both intestinal sites. Those inhibitors may include competitive substrates that could be transported, though it requires more detailed investigation. Furthermore, the riboflavin transport systems in both intestinal sites seemed to be quite similar in terms of recognition of substrates and inhibitors, though they might not be identical. For some other carrier-mediated transport systems examined, those of D-glucose and bile acids were found to be present in the colon, though far less efficient than the riboflavin transport system. Thus, the riboflavin transport system seemed to be most promising for utilization in oral drug delivery via colon. Drugs designed to fit the riboflavin carriers and as well absorbed from the colon as from the small intestine would be suitable for a sustained-release formulation that is effective even after reaching the colon.
Drugs that are metabolized by CYP3A, such as cyclosporine, were found to be significantly metabolized at first-pass in the colon of rats as well as in the small intestine. Thus, in terms of metabolism by CYP3A, delivery via colon would not lead to any further reduction in bioavailability, compared with delivery via small intestine. However, the membrane permeability of cyclosporine, which is restricted by secretory transport by P-glycoprotein, was significantly lower in the colon than in the small intestine. Therefore, for those that undergo CYP3A metabolism and P-glycoprotein secretion, delivery via colon could lead to a reduction in the bioavailability.
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